Month: September 2024

NEW DELHI: A railway staffer was taken into custody by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Monday for allegedly stealing 10 “harmless” detonators that went off on a track during the passing of a military special train in Madhya Pradesh last week, an official said on Monday.
The incident occurred on September 18, when a military special train was briefly halted for two minutes due to the explosion of ten detonators near Sagphata, located between Nepanagar and Khandwa stations in the Bhusawal division.The railways described the detonators as “harmless”.
In relation to the incident, the Railway Protection Force has taken a track patrol duty staffer into custody. Inspector Sanjeev Kumar of Khandwa RPF informed PTI, “We have registered a case against one Sabir on Sunday for stealing the detonators under section 3 (a) of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act,” PTI news agency reported.
Sabir, who holds the position of mate, a rank above gangman, is responsible for patrolling the tracks.
According to the official, these detonators are only accessible to two or three government departments and were not officially issued to the accused. Sabir, in his statement, claimed that he was not on duty and was intoxicated on the day the incident occurred.
Sabir was charged under section 3 (a) of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act for the theft of the detonators, according to inspector Sanjeev Kumar of Khandwa RPF.
The detonators are only issued to a few government departments and were not officially given to Sabir, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident. The court granted Sabir’s remand to the RPF for questioning, as stated by Central Railway RPF commandant Manoj Kumar, who has additional charge of the RPF unit of Bhusawal division.
“The signal detonators do not cause harm. They are just crackers. There is no explosive matter in it. It is just a mixture. It is specifically designed for putting on tracks to make a sound and not to explode. The sound alerts the driver to any obstruction. These are also called fog signals,” Kumar explained. The military special train, which was heading to Khandwa, was allowed to proceed after a thorough check following the detonation incident.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the United Nations’ landmark Summit of the Future on Monday, highlighted the importance of collective strength over conflict in shaping the future of humanity. Speaking to global leaders at the summit, PM Modi stressed that a “human-centric approach” must be the highest priority as the international community contemplates the path forward.
“Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield,” PM Modi said, notably refraining from mentioning any specific global conflicts, highlighting the need for peace and cooperation.
PM Modi also pointed to sustainable development as a critical focus, saying that ensuring human welfare, along with food and health security, is essential. He highlighted India’s success in poverty alleviation, noting that the country has lifted 250 million people out of poverty, a testament to the potential of sustainable development.
“By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that sustainable development can be successful,” PM Modi said, offering to share India’s experience with the entire Global South. He called on the global community to prioritize similar efforts, highlighting the need for inclusive growth.
In his address, PM Modi also reiterated the urgent need for reforms in global institutions to foster peace and development worldwide, suggesting that outdated structures must evolve to meet contemporary challenges.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the serious threat of terrorism to global peace and security during his speech. He highlighted the emergence of new conflict areas, such as cyber, maritime, and space, and called for global action to match the level of ambition required to tackle these challenges.
PM Modi said, “While on the one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict. On all these issues, I will stress that global action must match global ambition.”
The Prime Minister also discussed the role of technology in the modern era, highlighting the need for balanced regulation to ensure its safe and responsible use. He expressed India’s willingness to share its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the global good, emphasizing that DPI should serve as a bridge rather than a barrier.
“For safe and responsible use of technology, balance regulation is needed. We want such global digital governance in which sovereignty and integrity remain intact,” PM added.
At the UN Summit of the Future, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, which encompasses a wide range of critical issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender equality, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. The Pact also includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, demonstrating the international community’s commitment to addressing the challenges of the present and ensuring a better future for all.
Ahead of the summit, as part of his three-day visit to the United States, PM Modi met with leading industry figures to discuss India’s potential as a global partner in business and innovation. During a roundtable with top CEOs from the tech sector in New York, the Prime Minister assured business leaders of India’s commitment to protecting intellectual property and fostering technological innovation, signaling the country’s readiness to engage more deeply with the international business community.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Little did Martin Luther King Jr know that one day, America would become so “DEIfied” that even a black man, judged by the content of his character and the content he produced, would be openly embraced by white supremacists.Three-and-a-half decades ago, a footballer named Mark Robins was credited with saving Sir Alex Ferguson’s career as manager, after which Manchester United became the dominant force in English football. Now, a man named Mark Robinson might just cause Donald Trump’s downfall in the crucial swing state of North Carolina, even if he brings Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of racial equity to life in a perverse way. And, of course, Donald Trump has called him “Martin Luther King Jr on steroids.”
Robinson’s bona fides as a racist are quite remarkable, even for a conservative politician, irrespective of his skin colour.
Under his online persona ‘mindsoldr,’ Robinson posted extensively on a porn site called Nude Africa, which is rather disturbing, as who posts their racist thoughts on a porn website? The web page’s comments forum became Robinson’s canvas for his observations on race, sex, gender, and slavery. Most of his comments are the exact opposite of his public persona, reminiscent of the old joke that the Republican National Convention is the Super Bowl for Grindr.
For example, Robinson, who is rather vocal in the bathroom debate, admitted to being a “peeping Tom” as a 14-year-old. He also claimed to be a connoisseur of ‘tranny-on-girl porn’ and added that it took the “man out while leaving the man in.”
He said he wasn’t in the KKK because they didn’t let black people join, but if he was, he would call MLK Jr “Martin Lucifer Koon.” Describing himself as a black Nazi, he said slavery wasn’t all that bad and wished he could bring it back so he could own a few.
During Obama’s presidency, he said he’d prefer Adolf Hitler and, like any true equal-opportunity racist, he was equally bigoted towards black, Jewish, and Muslim individuals. He called MLK Jr a “commie bastard” who was “worse than a maggot” and a ‘huckster.’ He also referred to Muslims as “little rag-headed bastards” and wrote that if “Muslims took over, liberals would be the first ones to be beheaded.”
While Trump was reportedly warned about Robinson and his gubernatorial candidacy, including his remarks disparaging the civil rights movement and mocking victims of school shootings, Trump didn’t particularly care even when Robinson called child survivors who advocated for gun control “media prosti-tots,” accused Michelle Obama of being a man, liberally used the slur ‘hebe,’ a common pejorative term for Jews, and suggested it was acceptable to send violent protesters to the Elysian Fields.
Trump seems to have learned his lesson, given that he recently held an event in North Carolina where Robinson was neither mentioned nor invited. Meanwhile, several top operatives of Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign have quit, and Trump’s former acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney admits that he is “weighed down by a very unpopular Republican candidate for governor.”
Trump currently holds a narrow lead over Harris (49% to 47%), and while North Carolina leans Republican, there’s always the danger of reverse coattails. It’s worth noting that the poll was conducted before the Mark Robinson allegations surfaced, and the state is absolutely crucial to Trump’s chances of returning to the White House.
Everything is usually measured with the benefit of hindsight, and we are in an election where Nancy Pelosi, Dick Cheney, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are on the same page. Time will tell if Robinson’s deeply disturbing Uncle Peeping Tom act and his desire to “kiss and post” will cost Trump. Many years ago, Simon and Garfunkel sang: “And here’s to you, Mrs Robinson. Jesus loves you more than you will know.” Given Mr Robinson’s stellar racist credentials, it’s a tough task for Jesus as well.

A woman from US’ Tennessee has been sentenced to 100 months in prison after attempting to hire a hitman on a dark website to kill the wife of a man she met on the dating website.
Melody Sasser, 48, paid $9,750 in Bitcoin for the “job” and stressed that it should look like an accident to avoid suspicion, Fox News reported.
The intended victim, identified as JW, lives in Prattville, Alabama, with her husband, DW, whom Sasser had met on Match.com before his marriage.Sasser had previously assisted DW with a hike along the Appalachian Trail. Court documents also allege that Sasser left threatening voicemails on JW’s phone using voice-disguising technology.
“It needs to seem random or an accident, or plant drugs, do not want a long investigation. She recently moved in with her new husband,” Sasser wrote to the administrator.
Over two months, Sasser communicated with the “Online Killers Market” administrator, expressing frustration about the “job” not being completed. She provided photographs and location information of JW, even tracking the couple’s whereabouts using a fitness app called Strava, which connects to Garmin watches. At one point, Sasser notified the administrator when JW had left her home for a two-mile walk.
The plot was ultimately unsuccessful, leading to Sasser’s arrest and a search of her home. Law enforcement found a journal listing several other hitman websites, a handwritten account of communications with the “Online Killers Market,” and a stack of cash underneath a sticky note with a Bitcoin address, according to Fox News.
Sasser entered a plea deal on Wednesday and was sentenced to 100 months in prison. In addition to her prison sentence, she must pay more than $5,300 in restitution to the victim.

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle recently shared her concerns about modern relationships and the younger generation’s approach to marriage. During a conversation with spiritual leader Ravi Shankar, Asha questioned why so many young couples opt for divorce so quickly, without making enough effort to resolve their issues.
Recalling her own experience, Asha mentioned that despite facing difficulties with her husband, she never considered divorce.“Nowadays, I hear about couples sending divorce papers every month,” she said. Ravi Shankar agreed, noting that people today lack the perseverance and strength that Asha had. He added that tolerance levels have dropped, and attraction often outweighs love in modern relationships.
She further added, “I have spent most of my years in the film industry and seen many people but, earlier, they never used to take such drastic steps like the current generation does. I feel that the love between them ends very soon and they get bored with each other fast too. Maybe that’s one of the main reasons (for the apparent increase in divorces).”
Asha also reflected on women’s rights to choose whether or not to have children. She shared how she balanced her career as a playback singer with raising her three children, despite her busy schedule.

“Nowadays, women think childbearing is a burden. It’s perhaps a reality in the lower strata of society. But even the middle and higher class. I started working as a playback singer at the age of 10. During this time, I had three children, raised them, married them off and now have grandchildren. I executed all the responsibilities successfully and single-handedly, without my husband. I did all this when I was a busy professional, working day and night. Yet, I looked after my children, their studies,” she said.
At 16, Asha Bhosle eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, her elder sister’s secretary, defying her family’s wishes to marry him. The couple had three children before divorcing in 1960. Later, in 1980, she married music director-actor RD Burman, and they stayed together until his passing in 1994.

Ravi Shankar praised her, saying that she has set a high standard for others to follow. “That’s because they are not familiar with your life. You have established a high standard. You are an ideal.”

Anupama notices Toshu and Pakhi arrive at Asha Bhawan, which catches everyone’s attention. Dolly remarks that, thankfully, they did not behave as carelessly as Toshu and Pakhi. Dimple adds that if they had, they would face the same repercussions. Toshu replies by enabling others to tease, ridicule, and taunt them. Pakhi states unequivocally their intention to stay.Kinjal cynically asks if they’ve finally come to their senses.
Pakhi acknowledges that they’re fatigued and numb. Babu Ji, Bala, and Indra agree that Anupama will determine whether they can stay. Toshu and Pakhi appeal, arguing that they have changed, but Kinjal says the decision is up to Anupama.
Toshu begs Kinjal to let him stay and urges Pari to support him, but she refuses, claiming there is calm at home without him. Pakhi encourages Ishu to speak out, but he rejects, leaving the decision to Anupama. Toshu then turns to Dimple, who claims it is not her residence. Baa asks Toshu and Pakhi whether they have realised their mistakes, and they admit they have. Baa lets them in, but Anupama stops them.
Anupama permits Toshu and Pakhi to enter under certain conditions. She asks that they fold their hands and apologise to everyone in Asha Bhawan. If pardoned, they may stay, but they must obey all rules, assist others, respect everyone, and contribute to household expenditures. If they agree to these terms, they may stay.
Toshu and Pakhi apologise and offer to help. However, Anupama begs them to go, explaining that it was a test to see if they were truly remorseful and willing to let go of their arrogance. She shuts the door, making them upset.
Dolly enquires whether Anupama’s heart has turned to stone, to which the latter responds that it has, after being broken so many times. Following their urgent pleas, Anupama finally opens the door, allowing them to stay but telling them to leave their attitude outside. Toshu and Pakhi apologise again, and Anupama finally allows them in.
Anuj consoles Anupama as she laments about Pakhi and Toshu, believing they will never change. He brightens the mood with candy and assures her of his devotion, despite her previous reservations. Meanwhile, Pakhi and Toshu agree to put up with Anupama’s strictness for now. Anupama, noticing their negative mood, rejects their reasons and returns them to work.
Hasmuk asks Anupama to protect Leela, Dimple, and Kinjal’s jewellery, but she declines since she does not want the responsibility. Despite her refusal, Hasmuk persisted. Toshu keeps an eye on Anupama while she locks the jewellery up in a trunk. Sagar helps her lift the trunk while secretly planning to reveal the truth about his relationship with Meenu.

Later, Mahi informs Anupama that Ishani and Ansh refuse to play with her, even hitting her. Ansh explains how Mahi snatched their ball despite their requests. Pari explains that Dimple ordered them not to play with Mahi because she is now part of Asha Bhawan. Anupama is furious and scolds Dimple for manipulating the children. Anuj observes this and recognises that Aadhya has been raised well and is not like other children.

NEW DELHI: The winners of the IIMCAA Awards 2024, selected by the eminent jury of Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association (IIMCAA), were announced and felicitated on Sunday at a glittering ceremony held in the national capital. Anup Pandey won the coveted ‘Journalist of the Year’ trophy with a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh while Shagun Kapil won the “Agriculture Reporter of the Year” award and walked away with Rs 1 lakh.Other winners were honoured with cash prizes of Rs 50,000 in addition to trophies and certificates.
Rajat Mishra in the ‘Publishing Reporting’ category, Abhinav Goel in ‘Broadcast Reporting’, Surabhi Singh in ‘Producer’, Muhammad Sabith U M in ‘Publishing Reporting’ in Indian Languages’, Shatarupa Samantaraya in ‘Broadcast Reporting in Indian Languages’, Saransh Jain in ‘Advertising’, Shillpi A Singh in ‘PR’, Ofactor in ‘Ad Agency’, and Kaizzen in ‘PR Agency’ received the winners’ award.

The ‘Jury Special Mention’ category celebrated the entries of applicants who narrowly missed the top spot. Awardees included Abhishek Angad, Ritwika Mitra, Ashutosh Mishra, Manish Mishra, and Nidhi Tiwari in the ‘Journalist of the Year’ category, Diwash Gahatraj in Agriculture Reporting, Parimal Kumar and Vishnukant Tiwari in Broadcast Reporting, Rohan Kathpalia in Producer of the Year category, and Supriya Sundriyal and Nikhil Swami in the ‘PR’ category.
IIMCAA president Simrat Gulati presided over the function while executive president Gayatri Shrivastava hosted the award ceremony. Awards auditor Unni Rajen Shanker, convenor Vineet Handa, coordinator Puja Mishra, and general secretary Deeksha Saksena released a souvenir book featuring profiles and works of the award winners.

The event was attended by former Principal DG of PIB Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, ADG Raj Kumar, Spl. Commissioner of Delhi Govt Sushil Singh; MD of US-India Business Council Rahul Sharma and journalists Professor Govind Singh, Prasad Sanyal, Neelesh Misra, Rupa Jha, Aparna Dwivedi, Lola Nayar, Gyaneshwar, Nitin Pradhan, Rajesh Priyadarshi, Prabhash Jha, Alok Kumar, Priyadarshan, Anupam Srivastava, Sumit Awasthi, Manoj Malayanil, Pramod Chauhan, Mihir Ranjan, Manoj Roorkiwal, Harvir Singh, SP Singh, Shishir Sinha, Om Prakash, PR expert Samir Kapur, Harshendra Verdhan, marketing expert Shruti Jain, Kalyan Ranjan, Rohit Dubey, Sonia Sarin, and others were present. Most of the guests were part of the Jury who selected the winners.
IIMCAA AWARDS 2024 – LIST OF WINNERS
Journalist of the Year – Anup Pandey
Agriculture Reporter of the Year – Shagun Kapil
Reporter of the Year (Publishing) – Rajat Mishra
Reporter of the Year (Broadcast) – Abhinav Goel
Producer of the Year (Broadcast) – Surabhi Singh
Indian Language Reporter of the Year (Publishing) – Muhammad Sabith U M
Indian Language Reporter of the Year (Broadcast) – Shatarupa Samantaraya
Ad Person of the Year – Saransh Jain
PR Person of the Year – Shillpi A Singh
Ad Agency of the Year – Ofactor
PR Agency of the Year – Kaizzen
JURY SPECIAL MENTION
Journalist of the Year – Abhishek Angad
Journalist of the Year – Ritwika Mitra
Journalist of the Year – Ashutosh Mishra
Journalist of the Year – Manish Mishra
Journalist of the Year – Nidhi Tiwary
Agriculture Reporter of the Year – Diwash Gahatraj
Reporter of the Year (Broadcast) – Parimal Kumar
Reporter of the Year (Broadcast) – Vishnukant Tiwari
Producer of the Year (Broadcast) – Rohan Kathpalia
PR Person of the Year – Supriya Sundriyal
PR Person of the Year – Nikhil Swami

The issue of using polluting fuels is a pressing public health concern, particularly in many parts of India. Households in various regions rely on a variety of traditional fuels, including wood, crop residue, charcoal, animal dung, and coal, for cooking and heating purposes. Kerosene is often utilized for lighting as well. These practices create a consistently smoky indoor environment that significantly contributes to the burden of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), particularly in children.According to numerous studies, children residing in homes that utilize these polluting fuels are approximately 1.5 times more likely to experience symptoms associated with ARI, such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. This is especially alarming when considering that children have underdeveloped respiratory systems and are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution.
The combustion of these fuels produces smoke that contains harmful particulates and toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can irritate the respiratory tract and lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Furthermore, the practice of burning agricultural waste, such as crop residue post-harvest, exacerbates the situation. Not only does this contribute to outdoor air pollution, but it also leads to an even higher concentration of harmful substances in the home environment, thereby further increasing health risks for children.
The health implications of ARI in children are significant. It can lead to a cycle of illness, increased healthcare costs, and lost productivity for families. In severe cases, ARI can result in hospitalizations or even death. According to the World Health Organization, respiratory infections are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age.Given the alarming statistics and the health risks associated with indoor air pollution from traditional fuels, there is a critical need for intervention. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, or electric stoves, can drastically reduce the amount of harmful emissions produced during cooking and heating. Policies aimed at improving access to clean fuels, subsidizing alternative energy sources, and encouraging the adoption of improved cookstoves can yield substantial public health benefits. Additionally, improving ventilation in homes and raising awareness about the risks associated with burning polluting fuels are vital components in combating ARI.
Recurrent episodes of ARI predispose these children to COPD in their later age groups. COPD is the second commonest cause of death and although smoking is a common cause for COPD, India has the highest number of non-smokers COPD all over the world. The common cause for this non-smokers COPD is Recurrent ARI in childhood.

The reliance on traditional fuels not only poses significant health risks to children but also harms the overall quality of air and contributes to broader environmental issues. It is imperative for policymakers, communities, and health organizations to collaborate in implementing effective solutions that can mitigate these health risks. By focusing on promoting cleaner cooking and heating methods, improving indoor air quality, and boosting awareness, we can create a healthier environment for children and significantly improve their quality of life as well as health outcomes. In conclusion, addressing the use of polluting fuels in homes is not just about improving air quality; it is about safeguarding the health and future of the younger generation. Everyone has a role to play in this effort, from government institutions to local communities to individual families.
(Article Courtesy: Dr. Mahavir Modi, Consultant Pulmonologist, Ruby Hall Clinic Pune)